Archery bow sight with power saving laser sighting mechanism

ABSTRACT

A laser sight for an archery bow is dimensioned and configured to be mounted on a mounting bracket for a conventional sighting pin. The laser sight is further configured to not interfere with the optional use of conventional sighting pins. The laser sight may include a pull switch that activates the laser sight in response to drawing the bow to provide hands free activation of the laser sight.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of International Application No.PCT/US2004/012687 filed Apr. 23, 2004 and published Nov. 4, 2004 asInternational Publication No. WO 2004/094934, designating the UnitedStates, and which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/464,768 filed Apr. 23, 2003, the teachings of which areincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a sighting system for anarchery bow. More particularly, the present invention relates to anillumination sighting system for an archery bow that illuminates thetarget with a light and which provides power saving and convenienton/off switching performance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional archery laser sights are typically mounted on a speciallyprovided bracket, such as shown in FIG. 5. Unfortunately, the mountingbracket usually spaces the laser sight from the path of the arrow, whichcan introduce angular error along much of the arrows path. Therefore thefield of accuracy is limited to only those narrow regions around theintersection of the laser's path and the arrows path.

Additionally, the mounting brackets required for most laser sights oftenreplace the fixtures needed for conventional sighting pins or otherwiseinterfere with the use of conventional sighting pins. While it may oftenbe desirable to use a laser sight over a conventional sighting pin, invery bright lighting conditions the visibility of the projected laserdot may be greatly reduced, making it difficult for an archer todetermined the point of aim. In such circumstances the lack ofconventional sighting pins may leave the archer without any capabilityto accurately aim the arrow.

Conventional laser sights are generally activated by a switch that mustbe manually engaged. However this may increase the time needed toproperly acquire a target once spotted. In addition the necessary act ofturning the laser sight on or maintaining pressure on a switch mayrequire awkward and uncomfortable positions that may compromiseaccuracy.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a laser sight for use with an archerybow. The laser sight may be dimensioned and configured to be mounted ona mounting bracket for conventional sighting pins, and may be configurednot to interfere with the optional use of the conventional sightingpins. Additionally, the laser sight may be activated by a switch inresponse to drawing the bow. According to one embodiment, the switchmay, for example, have a flexible member attached to a portion of thebow that moves when the bow string is drawn. This aspect may providehands free activation of the laser sight when the bow is drawn andcorresponding deactivation when the draw is released.

According to one aspect, there is provided a laser sight for an archerybow including a laser element having a laser diode, and an activationswitch, and a mounting pin extending from the laser element. Themounting pin may be adapted to be received in a sight pin bracketdisposed on a bow.

According to another aspect, an archery system is provided including abow having a first and second limb coupled to a handle at a first end ofeach limb, and a string extending between a second end of each limb. Thearchery system may further include a sight bracket disposed on thehandle, in which the sight bracket includes at least one sight pin and alaser sight. The laser sight of the archery system may include a laserelement having a laser diode, and an activation switch, and a mountingpin extending from the laser element. The mounting pin may be adapted tobe received in the sight pin bracket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the present invention are set forth by thedescription of exemplary embodiments of the invention, which descriptionshould be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of an exemplary laser sight consistent withthe present invention, including an enlarged schematic view showing oneexemplary pull switch;

FIG. 1 a illustrates an enlarged view of an exemplary pull-switch thatmay suitably be used with the laser system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an exemplary proximity switch that maybe used with a laser sight consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary archery bow set up including a lasersight consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of the sight mounting feature of FIG.3, including a laser sight consistent with the present invention and aconventional sighting pin; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a conventional archery bow set up including aconventional laser sight provided on a separate mounting bracket andshowing the effect of angular error with the sight.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

An archery sighting device consistent with the present invention directsan illuminating image onto a target for aiming an arrow fired from anarchery bow. While the term “laser sight” is used herein to describe thesighting device, a laser illuminating element is only one exemplaryilluminating element. Alternative illuminating elements will be apparentto those having skill in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a general set up of an exemplary laser sight10 consistent with the invention is shown. The laser sight 10 may beprovided having a compact size and shape, which may allow the lasersight 10 to be mounted in a sight pin guard bracket 12, which may beprovided on an archery bow, along with any conventional sight pins 14.In one embodiment, the laser sight 10 may be sized such that it does notinterfere with the use of the conventional sight pins 14, therebyproviding the archer with the opportunity to alternatively aim witheither the laser sight 10 or the conventional sighting pins 14. Thealternative use of the conventional sighting pins 14 may be especiallyadvantageous in very brightly lit environments that may make a laser dotgenerated by the laser sight 10 difficult to see.

In addition to not obscuring or replacing the conventional sighting pins14, the ability to position the laser sight 10 inside the pin guardbracket 12 may place the laser sight 10, and the beam 16 projected bythe laser sight 10, generally inline with both the sight pins 14 and thearrow 18 and the arrow path 20. By positioning the laser sight 10generally along the arrow path 20 the accuracy of the laser sight 10 maybe increased over a broader window of yardages. This increased window ofaccuracy may be provided by reducing the angular error of the system.That is, the farther the laser sight 10 is from the path of the arrow20, the greater the angle formed between the laser path 16 and the arrowpath 20, and therein the narrower the field of accuracy. Conversely, thecloser the laser sight 10 is to the path of the arrow 20, the smallerthe angle formed between the laser path 16 and the arrow path 20, andtherein the broader the field of accuracy.

According to one embodiment, positioning the laser sight 10 in closealignment with the conventional sighting pins 14 may advantageously beachieved by actually mounting the laser sight 10 to the pin bracket 22that carries the conventional sighting pins 14. In addition to placingthe laser sight 10 generally inline with the conventional sighting pins14 this mounting configuration may eliminate the need for a separatemounting bracket that may have a negative impact on the balance or feelof the bow.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of a mounting configuration ofthe laser sight 10 is shown. As in the illustrated embodiment, the laserelement 40 may be disposed on the end of a standard type bolt 42, suchas would be used for mounting a conventional sighting pin 14.Accordingly, the laser sight 10 may be received in a standard sight pintrack (not shown). Advantageously, the laser sight 10 may be retainedusing two thumb screws 44, 46 one of which may be disposed on eitherside of the mounting bracket 22. The thumb screws 44, 46 may be employedto clamp the laser sight 10 in a desired position on the mountingbracket 22. As mentioned above, this mounting arrangement may not onlyeliminate the need for additional mounting hardware, but may also placethe laser sight 10 generally inline with the conventional sighting pins14.

Adjustment of the windage and/or elevation of the laser sight 10 may becarried out in a similar manner as with a conventional sighting pin 14.For example, adjustment of the laser sight 10 may be carried out usingany global windage and/or elevation adjustment of the sight bracket 22for producing left/right or up/down translation of the entire mountingbracket 22. Additionally, the laser sight may be adjusted independentlyof the sight bracket 22 and other pins, e.g. 14, by loosening at leastone of the thumb screws 44, 46 and moving the complete laser sight unit10. For example, elevation may be adjusted by loosening one of the thumbscrews 44, 46 and moving the laser sight 10 in the pin track, whichtypically runs vertically or diagonally. Alternatively, at least one ofthe thumb screws 44, 46 may be loosened and the laser sight 10 rotatedabout the axis of the bolt 42 to angle the projected beam up or down. Ina corresponding manner, the windage may be adjusted by loosening one ofthe thumb screws, e.g. 44, and tightening the other thumb screw 46,thereby advancing or retracting the laser sight 10 relative to themounting bracket 22.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, another unique aspect of thelaser sight 10 is the method of activation. Desirably the laser sight 10may be activated, i.e., turned on, in response to a pull switch 50.Desirably a flexible member 54, such as a flexible tube, a string, wire,etc. may be coupled to the pull switch 50 and to a moving part of thebow such that drawing back the bow string 52 activates the laser sight10. Accordingly, it is not necessary to engage a button or slide switchto activate the laser sight 10, thereby allowing hands-free activation.Referring to FIG. 3, some exemplary attachment points of the flexiblemember 54 are shown including the bow string 52, the string separator55, cables 57, limbs, e.g. 59, cams 61, 63, etc. Release of the bowstring, either by firing an arrow or not, may deactivate the laser sight10.

Referring to FIG. 1 a a first exemplary pull switch 50 is shownincluding a connecting pole 60 connected to the flexible member 54. Theexemplary pull switch 50 may include an inner cap 62 that keeps a springground wire 64 from completing the circuit with the batteries 66, 66′until the flexible member 54 is pulled. When the flexible member 54 ispulled, the spring 68 urges the batteries 66, 66′ to shift and allow thespring ground wire 64 to complete the circuit activating the laser diode70. Releasing the tension on the flexible member 54 may cause thecircuit to open, thereby deactivating the laser diode 70.

Referring to FIG. 2 an exemplary proximity switch 50 a is illustratedincluding a magnetic activating element 80. Consistent with thisembodiment a small metal plate 82 may be attached to the bow. The metalplate 82 is disposed adjacent the magnetic element 80 such that when thebow is drawn the metal plate 82 moves the two magnetic element 80 mayallow current to flow though the wires 84 associated with the flexiblemember 54. When current is allowed to pass through the magnetic element80 the laser sight 10 is activated.

Numerous other switch configurations for activating the sight will beunderstood by those having skill in the art. Such alternative switchesmay include pull switches; proximity switches; strain switches, whichmay be activated by flexing of the bow; etc. Such alternative switcheswill preferably be responsive to drawing the bow. Similarly, alternativemounting configurations within the spirit of the invention herein willalso be appreciated by those having skill in the art.

1. A laser sight for an archery bow comprising: a laser elementcomprising a laser diode and an activation switch; and a mounting pinextending from said laser element, said mounting pin adapted to bereceived in a sight pin bracket disposed on a bow.
 2. A laser sightaccording to claim 1 wherein said activation switch comprises a handsfree switch activating said laser sight in response to drawing a bowstring.
 3. A laser sight according to claim 2 wherein said activationswitch comprises a pull switch.
 4. A laser sight according to claim 3wherein said pull switch comprises a flexible member extending from saidlaser element to a moving component of said bow.
 5. A laser sightaccording to claim 2 wherein said activation switch comprises aproximity switch.
 6. A laser sight according to claim 6 wherein saidactivation switch comprises a magnetic activation switch.
 7. A lasersight according to claim 6 wherein said magnetic activation switchcomprises a magnetic element and a metal plate, said magnetic activationswitch being in a first activation state when said metal plate is in afirst position relative to said magnetic element and said magneticactivation switch being in a second activation state when said metalplate is in a second position relative to said magnetic element.
 8. Alaser sight according to claim 7 wherein said metal plate is positionedon a moving component of said bow, said metal plate being in a firstposition relative to said magnetic element when a bow string is in anun-drawn condition and said metal plate being in a second positionrelative to said magnetic element when said bow string is in a drawncondition.
 9. An archery system comprising: a bow comprising a first andsecond limb coupled to a handle at a first end of each limb, and astring extending between a second end of each limb; and a sight bracketdisposed on said handle, said sight bracket comprising at least onesight pin and a laser sight; said laser sight comprising a laser elementcomprising a laser diode and an activation switch, and a mounting pinextending from said laser element, said mounting pin adapted to bereceived in said sight pin bracket.
 10. An archery system according toclaim 9 wherein said laser sight comprises an activation switchresponsive to a drawn condition of said string.
 11. An archery systemaccording to claim 10 wherein said activation switch comprises a pullswitch.
 12. An archery system according to claim 10 wherein saidactivation switch comprises a proximity switch.
 13. An archery systemaccording to claim 12 wherein said activation switch comprise a magneticswitch.